Observatory in Khanh Hoa to become operational in March

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s first
astronomical observatory will be put into operation in March this year in the
central province of Khanh Hoa.

The information was revealed by Director of the Vietnam National Satellite
Centre (VNSC) Pham Anh Tuan at a conference on the centre in Hanoi on January
18.

Covering 343 sq.m in a rocky area called Hon
Chong in Nha Trang city, the observatory is equipped with a space telescope of
0.5m in diameter inside a dome that is 9m in diameter. The dome can accommodate
up to 60 people who can observe space or watch movies about planets, stars and
the history of Earth.

The 5.3-million-USD station will serve basic
studies on optical astrophysics, disseminate knowledge of the universe in the
community, and support human resource training in astrophysics.

It will also promote cooperation with researchers at home and abroad in the
field.

The VNSC is hoped to become a leading modern scientific and technological
centre in Southeast Asia, meeting the demand of research and application of
space technology in Vietnam to tackle natural disasters and climate change.

As part of efforts to improve the quality of its
human resources to serve its development, in 2017, the centre will pay special attention
to training work, towards training about 250 skilled staff by 2020.-VNA